Locals comment on what MLK Day means to them

PANAMA CITY — It has been almost 50 years since civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

Yet his actions and words still resonate.

Here in Bay County, people still remember what King stood for and what he means today.        

At a MLK Day March on Saturday, many people from varied backgrounds took to the street to continue his legacy. Several of those spoke to The News Herald about what King meant to them and how they planned to spend Monday.

Farrah Rasheed: As a young student, Farrah Rasheed said what MLK Day meant to her was a day where people should celebrate their freedoms.

For the day, Rasheed said she thought everyone would know what he did for the public.

Alexzandria Torres: Also a student, Alexzandria Torres said the day is a recognition of everything King accomplished. The youth presence was felt that day, as other students around Torres held up signs saying “Youth Lives Matter” and “Don’t die for a big lie.“

Marsha Hall: For Marsha Hall, the march and MLK Day is a commemoration of King’s dream, she said, adding this involves peace and unity.

The way she would celebrate started with the Saturday march, with plans to be at Monday’s festival at McKenzie Park.

The legacy King left behind, Hall said, was seen at Saturday’s march: races of all colors coming together.

Myron Hines: As a speaker before the start of the Saturday march, and after the end of it, along with helping to organize the event, Hines said MLK Day is a day of celebration.

But it’s also a day Hines said we should go to work. That work is to focus on equality and community efforts, added Hines.

It is important to have someone to count on, Hines said, especially if they are poor or need food.

Hines’ basic message is to help someone.

Jack Harvey: Along with several others, Jack Harvey walked down the street in the march helping to hold up a Unitarian Universalist banner.

Such efforts and the federal holiday are a public expression validating the work of King, he said, adding the “dignity of all people is important.“

There is a lot of work that still needs to be done, in Harvey’s opinion.

Discrimination can be very subtle, he said, adding there needs to be a balance of opportunities for everyone to have fair wages.

Bob Gilmore: The day is a time when the whole nation can think about peace and justice. That’s how Bob Gilmore sees MLK Day.

He said King reminds us there has been progress on numerous issues, be it child labor laws or the 40 hour work week.

Gilmore said it took hard work to make such things happen.

Mondayy, Gilmore may do random acts of kindness. There are school supplies he might bring over to the Democratic Women’s Club of Bay County.

 “MLK’s my hero,“ he said.

 Want To Go?

• What: Martin Luther King Day Festival; vendors, food, crafts
• When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; program at noon
• Where: McKenzie Park, downtown Panama City
• Also: Most government offices closed Monday